Sec. 88.541. DUTIES OF TEXAS CENTER FOR ADULT LITERACY AND LEARNING. (a) The Texas Center for Adult Literacy and Learning shall evaluate instructional videotapes or similar recorded materials generally available for use in providing adult literacy instruction and from time to time shall publish a guide describing and evaluating those videotapes and materials. The center shall encourage cable companies and other appropriate entities to use the guide in selecting materials to use in broadcasting and may take other action to promote the broadcast or dissemination of workbooks and other materials the center considers effective in teaching adult literacy.

(b) The center shall develop voluntary standards for the curriculum and workbooks and other materials used in adult literacy programs, including programs for teaching English as a second language. To develop the standards, the center shall organize an advisory group and shall encourage the participation of major providers of adult literacy programs in this state, including private nonprofit organizations, institutions of education, and correctional facilities. The Texas Department of Criminal Justice shall designate an employee of the department to participate in the initial development of the standards.

(c) In connection with the standards developed under Subsection (b), the center shall develop workbooks and other materials to be used by teachers and students in adult literacy programs to track the progress of the student and to allow the student to understand and maintain a record of the student's progress and proficiency.

(d) The center shall develop and update as necessary informational brochures, promotional posters, workbooks, or similar materials suitable for distribution to state employees or the general public describing the need for adult literacy and education services in this state and encouraging qualified persons to support or volunteer to assist programs that provide those services. As the center determines is appropriate, the center may provide samples of those workbooks and other materials to the governing boards or chief executive officers of state agencies, including institutions of higher education, and to other employers and institutions in this state and shall encourage those entities to distribute or make available the workbooks and other materials to their employees.

Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 655, Sec. 7.03, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.